From
its modest beginning in 1956 as a seaward defence force, Nigerian
Navy has evolved into a regional maritime defence force. From
the early 1970s to the mid 1980s, the Nigerian Navy embarked
on acquisition of new ships, new facilities and other platforms
based on perceived strategic needs. These new perceptions
of strategic needs emanated essentially from the lesson of
our civil war. Indeed, the end of the civil war signaled a
turning point for the Nigerian Navy. We built new and more
functional ships; we introduced more fleet maintenance facilities
and emplaced more shore establishments in the Delta area and
in the Eastern waters. Concerted efforts were also directed
at restructuring the logistic, operational, training and administrative
machinery in the Navy.
These efforts were spirited attempts to respond to the naval
strategic needs in consonance with Nigeria’s legitimate
geo-political role. Not only in the West African sub-region,
but also in the Southern Atlantic. The Nigerian Navy has been
a reliable and credible element in our nation’s defence.
As we reflect on our activities in the past fifty years, we
look forward in sustaining and improving our attributes and
virtues to meet our challenges and continue to serve our nation
with distinction.